Kathryn DiFoxfire points out Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L. var.
holosericea). The plant has tiny hairs that pester bare legged hikers by injecting a toxin that will cause skin irritation. Indian braves used stinging needle to keep themselves awake while on watch.

But if you are not an Indian brave and are unfortunate enough to discover this personally, try crushing a mugwort leaf and rubbing it over the rash every 10 minutes.

This should temporarily relieve the irritation. To relieve it permanently, ice it down for at least 2 minutes when you get home.

source: http://kaweahoaks.com/html/stinging_nettle.html

Click on a "trail stop" to learn about what is seen along the way!

 

1 Devil's Ice Box Trail Head

2 Stinging Nettle

3 The Historic Rockbridge Mill Site

4  Under the Rock Bridge

5  The Dam

6  The Rock Bridge

7  Stream Piracy

8  The Providence Plank Road

9  Connor's Cave Overlook

10  The Sinkhole: Nature's Drain

12 The Devil's Icebox

11 Devil's Icebox Entrance

13 The Bluff Face: An Ancient Sea Bed